U.S. patent application number 16/473403 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-31 for system and method for determining a personalized anti-snoring solution.
This patent application is currently assigned to KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.. The applicant listed for this patent is KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.. Invention is credited to Koray KARAKAYA, Anastasia SCHMALZ, Stefan WINTER.
Application Number | 20190328319 16/473403 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60812082 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190328319 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KARAKAYA; Koray ; et
al. |
October 31, 2019 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A PERSONALIZED ANTI-SNORING
SOLUTION
Abstract
A method for determining a personalized anti-snoring solution
for a patient includes performing an analysis of a sleep period of
the patient in which snoring by the patient is occurring; advising
the patient of an anti-snoring solution based on information
obtained in the analysis; tracking a further sleep period of the
patient in which the patient is employing the anti-snoring
solution; and advising the patient of changes to the anti-snoring
solution based on a comparison of information obtained in the
tracking with data obtained in the analysis.
Inventors: |
KARAKAYA; Koray; (Eindhoven,
NL) ; WINTER; Stefan; (Wurselen, DE) ;
SCHMALZ; Anastasia; (Amsterdam, NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. |
EINDHOVEN |
|
NL |
|
|
Assignee: |
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
EINDHOVEN
NL
|
Family ID: |
60812082 |
Appl. No.: |
16/473403 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
December 27, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2017/084612 |
371 Date: |
June 25, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62439909 |
Dec 29, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/4815 20130101;
A61B 5/7264 20130101; A61B 7/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; A61B 7/00 20060101 A61B007/00 |
Claims
1. A method for determining a personalized anti-snoring solution
for a patient, the method comprising: performing an analysis of a
sleep period of the patient in which snoring by the patient is
occurring; determining an anti-snoring solution for the patient
based on information obtained in the analysis; advising the patient
of the anti-snoring solution; tracking a further sleep period of
the patient in which the patient is employing the anti-snoring
solution; and advising the patient of changes to the anti-snoring
solution based on a comparison of information obtained in the
tracking with data obtained in the analysis.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing snoring by the patient
comprises performing an acoustic analysis of the snoring by the
patient.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein performing an acoustic analysis
of the snoring by the patient comprises one or more of: extracting
snoring episodes from within a mixed acoustic signal; classifying
snoring intensity of the snoring episodes; calculating the
proportion of snoring episodes overnight; classifying the snoring
episodes sound amplitude; and storing data resulting from the
acoustic analysis.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein analyzing snoring by the patient
comprises performing a spectral analysis of the snoring by the
patient.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein analyzing snoring by the patient
comprises storing data related to the sound of the snoring by the
patient in a snoring sound library.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing snoring by the patient
comprises performing a subjective assessment of snoring behavior by
the patient.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein performing a subjective
assessment comprises providing a number of questions to one or both
of the patient and a bed partner of the patient and analyzing
responses thereto.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing snoring by the patient
comprises performing a self-assessment for determining a source of
the snoring by the patient.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein performing a self-assessment
comprises generating snoring sounds by closing and opening nostrils
and mouth of the patient in order to identify the most likely
source of the snoring by the patient.
10. A system for determining a personalized anti-snoring solution
for a patient, the system comprising: a processing device having a
suitable memory associated therewith; one or more acoustic sensors
in communication with the processing device; and an input/out
device structured to receive information from and provide
information to the patient, wherein the processing device is
programmed to: utilize the one or more acoustic sensors in
performing an analysis of snoring by the patient; determine an
anti-snoring solution for the patient based on information obtained
in the analysis; utilize the input/output device in advising the
patient of the anti-snoring solution; utilize the one or more
sensors in tracking further snoring, by the patient in response to
the patient employing the anti-snoring solution; and utilize the
input/output device in advising the patient of changes to the
anti-snoring solution based on a comparison of information obtained
in the tracking with data obtained in the analysis.
11. A computer program product including a non-transitory computer
readable medium encoded with a computer program comprising program
code for implementing the method of claim 1.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The invention pertains to methods for determining a
personalized anti-snoring solution for a patient. The invention
further pertains to systems for use in determining a personalized
anti-snoring solution for a patient.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Snoring is a concern for those suffering from the condition
as snoring can result in low quality sleep and frequent awakenings.
Snoring is also not only a concern for snorers themselves, but also
a major source of annoyance for the bed partners of those who
frequently snore. Hence snoring has a significant effect on the
sleep quality of both the snorer and the bed partner.
[0003] Despite there being a large snoring population, the amount
of snorers who can find an efficient and acceptable solution to
their snoring problem is very limited. In a recent study we have
observed that more than 90% of snorers who have tried a snoring
solution are not happy with the solutions they have been using. A
majority of them also report that the anti-snoring devices they
have tried are not effective. There are different anti-snoring
device classes commonly used to treat snoring. Mandibular
advancement devices (MADs), position correction devices, and nasal
dilators are the three most common device classes. The device
portfolio further expands to other possible solutions such as:
position correction trainers, pillows and mattresses, chin straps,
etc. All of the aforementioned devices have a certain level of
success rate for minimizing snoring, for different types of
snoring.
[0004] The source of the snoring sound can be various: originated
from the soft palate and tissue in the mouth, nose or throat
vibrating. The source location may vary for different snorers and
is related to the physiology of the upper airway, which may be
deformed during sleep. Different types of anti-snoring devices are
more effective for dealing with different type of source location
(e.g., a nasal dilator is more effective for snoring originated
from nasal obstructions, a position correction device helps dealing
with the positional (gravitational) collapse of the soft tissue,
etc.). Therefore, it is essential to use have the right type of
device for an effective solution.
[0005] However, it is a problem for a habitual snorer to find the
most effective device. As a result, habitual snorers tend to choose
devices not based on their expected effectiveness, but for other
factors such as cost, ease of use, etc. Moreover, correct and
comfortable use of these devices, without compromising performance
of the devices is yet another challenge.
[0006] Such challenges also show themselves in existing business
models around anti-snoring devices as different device classes
(e.g. nasal dilators, mandibular advancement devices and position
correction devices), coming from different brands and
manufacturers, are sold individually. Accordingly, it is a rather
scattered domain and makes it even more difficult for snorers to
navigate through the device selection process, as there is no
"one-stop shop solution" for sleep disordered breathing problems,
particularly for snoring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one embodiment, a method for determining a personalized
anti-snoring solution for a patient is provided. The method
comprises: performing an analysis of a sleep period of the patient
in which snoring by the patient is occurring; advising the patient
of an anti-snoring solution based on information obtained in the
analysis; tracking a further sleep period of the patient in which
the patient is employing the anti-snoring solution; and advising
the patient of changes to the anti-snoring solution based on a
comparison of information obtained in the tracking with data
obtained in the analysis.
[0008] Analyzing snoring by the patient may comprise performing an
acoustic analysis of the snoring by the patient.
[0009] Performing an acoustic analysis of the snoring by the
patient may comprise one or more of: extracting snoring episodes
from within a mixed acoustic signal; classifying snoring intensity
of the snoring episodes; calculating the proportion of snoring
episodes overnight; classifying the snoring episodes sound
amplitude; and storing data resulting from the acoustic
analysis.
[0010] Analyzing snoring by the patient may comprise performing a
spectral analysis of the snoring by the patient.
[0011] Analyzing snoring by the patient may comprise storing data
related to the sound of the snoring by the patient in a snoring
sound library.
[0012] Analyzing snoring by the patient may comprise performing a
subjective assessment of snoring behavior by the patient.
[0013] Performing a subjective assessment may comprise providing a
number of questions to one or both of the patient and a bed partner
of the patient and analyzing responses thereto.
[0014] Analyzing snoring by the patient may comprise performing a
self-assessment for determining a source of the snoring by the
patient.
[0015] Performing a self-assessment may comprise generating snoring
sounds by closing and opening nostrils and mouth of the patient in
order to identify the most likely source of the snoring by the
patient.
[0016] In another embodiment, a computer program product is
provided which includes a non-transitory computer readable medium
encoded with a computer program comprising program code for
implementing the method or methods described herein.
[0017] In yet another embodiment, a system for determining a
personalized anti-snoring solution for a patient is provided. The
system comprises: a processing device having a suitable memory
associated therewith; one or more acoustic sensors in communication
with the processing device; and an input/out device structured to
receive information from and provide information to the patient.
The processing device is programmed to: utilize the one or more
acoustic sensors in performing an analysis of snoring by the
patient; utilize the input/output device in advising the patient of
an anti-snoring solution based on information obtained in the
analysis; utilize the one or more sensors in tracking further
snoring, by the patient in response to the patient employing the
anti-snoring solution; and utilize the input/output device in
advising the patient of changes to the anti-snoring solution based
on a comparison of information obtained in the tracking with data
obtained in the analysis.
[0018] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of
the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and
functions of the related elements of structure and the combination
of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent
upon consideration of the following description and the appended
claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which
form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be
expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method according to one
example embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system according to one
example embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0021] As used herein, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the"
include plural references unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. As employed herein, the term "number" shall mean one or
an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).
[0022] As used herein, "snoring" shall refer to the undesired
occurrence of vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting
sound due to obstructed air movement in a user during breathing
while sleeping.
[0023] As used herein, "patient" shall be used to refer to a person
in which snoring occurs.
[0024] As used herein, "bed partner" shall be used to refer to a
person who sleeps with or nearby a patient.
[0025] As used herein, the term "controller" or "processing device"
shall mean a programmable analog and/or digital device (including
an associated memory part or portion) that can store, retrieve,
execute and process data (e.g., software routines and/or
information used by such routines), including, without limitation,
a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a complex programmable
logic device (CPLD), a programmable system on a chip (PSOC), an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, a
microcontroller, a programmable logic controller, or any other
suitable processing device or apparatus. The memory portion can be
any one or more of a variety of types of internal and/or external
storage media such as, without limitation, RAM, ROM, EPROM(s),
EEPROM(s), FLASH, and the like that provide a storage register,
i.e., a non-transitory machine readable medium, for data and
program code storage such as in the fashion of an internal storage
area of a computer, and can be volatile memory or nonvolatile
memory.
[0026] As described above, finding the right anti-snoring solution
is difficult for snorers as they are typically not aware of what
type of snoring problem they have (e.g. nasal, palatal, positional,
seasonal, etc.). Moreover, snorers generally do not associate
different types of anti-snoring solutions with different devices.
These technical and physiological challenges, combined with the
complexity of the anti-snoring device market, result in a difficult
decision journey for snorers and for their bed partners.
Embodiments of the invention address these problems by providing a
system and method which identifies a personalized anti-snoring
solution for a patient while also ensuring the patient is using it
in an effective manner.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 10 for
determining a personalized anti-snoring solution for a patient
according to an example embodiment of the invention. Method 10
includes four basic steps: analysis 20, advice 40, track 60 and
guide 80.
[0028] Beginning with the analysis step 20, the snoring behavior
and pattern of the user is analyzed over a time period. This time
period is also used as a baseline for comparing with subsequent
time period (discussed below) to determine changes which may occur
to the user's snoring behavior and pattern as a result of employing
an anti-snoring solution as described herein. As part of the
analysis step 20, an acoustic analysis of the snoring prevalence
(e.g., total snoring time per night, snoring sound amplitude, etc.)
is carried out. Such acoustic analysis includes: extracting snoring
episodes from within a mixed acoustic signal that may consist of
various background noises; classifying snoring intensity (e.g. low,
loud, very loud); calculating the proportion of snoring episodes
overnight, and (optionally) classifying them by sound amplitude;
and storing resulting data from the period of time to serve as a
baseline for later comparison to show progress/trends of snoring
prevalence on a weekly, monthly, or longer term.
[0029] As another part of the analysis step 20, a spectral analysis
of the sound of snoring by the patient is carried out using a means
of spectral analysis (e.g., fast Fourier transform--FFT, linear
predictive coding--LPC, etc.) for resolving the spectral and
psychoacoustic features of the snoring sounds. Such features are
used for: building a snoring sound library in which data related to
the snoring sound of the user is stored for later use; assessing
the link between anti-snoring devices and the changes in the
spectral profile (e.g. changes of a certain frequency band as a
result of using an anti-snoring device); and assessing the link
between the snoring source (e.g. back of the throat, palate, nose,
etc.) and the frequency spectrum.
[0030] As another part of the analysis step 20, a subjective
assessment of snoring behavior of the patient may be conducted.
Such subjective assessment may include input from the patient
and/or the bed partner of the patient (where applicable), and/or
someone who can observe the snoring behavior of the snorer (e.g.
via simple observation or an observation carried out via
audio/video recordings). The subjective assessment may be carried
out, for example, without limitation, through the use of
questionnaires, in paper, electronic, or any other suitable form
which include a number of questions pertaining to various aspects
related to situations in which snoring by the patient occurs (e.g.
"do you observe your partner snoring louder/more frequent while
sleeping on his/her back?", "do you snore every day?", "do you
snore louder on some days than others?", "have you observed a link
between your snoring behavior and external factors like nasal
congestion, alcohol intake, etc.?").
[0031] As yet another part of the analysis step 20, a
self-assessment may be carried out in order to attempt to locate
the source of snoring in the patient. Such self-assessment focuses
on physiological aspects of snoring that help identify the source
(e.g. positional, nasal, palatal, etc.) of snoring and may include
steps such as generating snoring sounds by closing and opening
nostrils and mouth of the patient in order to identify the most
likely source of snoring.
[0032] Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that the analysis step
20 is utilized to generally gather information/data regarding
snoring by the patient for a number of further uses. Such
information/data may be gathered, processed, stored, etc. as
needed, by a suitable processing device such as, for example,
without limitation, a computer or a smartphone.
[0033] As will be discussed further below, one such use of the
information gathered in analysis step 20 is as a baseline for
comparing changes in snoring by a user to determine effectiveness
of anti-snoring solutions implemented by the user. Another use of
such information/data obtained in step 20 occurs in advice step 40
wherein the patient is advised of potential anti-snoring solutions
which may reduce and/or inhibit snoring or attributes thereof
(occurrence, intensity, etc.).
[0034] Advice step 40 includes suggesting an appropriate
anti-snoring solution, or a combination thereof based on the data
gathered in the analysis step. Anti-snoring solutions are clustered
for their effective mechanism; e.g. nasal dilator, position
correction device(s)/position correction trainer, a mandibular
advancement device, etc. As such devices are known to those skilled
in the art, a detailed description of such devices is not provided
herein. As an example, if from the information gathered in step 20
it is found that snoring is more prominent while the person sleeps
on his/her back, then a positional correction device would be
advised. Yet another example would be on the nasal obstruction vs.
nasal dilator; if the patient is not qualified for these two
options, then the first advice would be using a MAD. In addition,
or in some situations as an alternative, a suggested habit change
or changes (e.g., without limitation, weight loss, minimizing
alcohol intake during night, using air purifier/humidifier for
minimizing nasal obstructions, especially during the allergy
season, giving generic advice on indoor allergens that causes nasal
congestion/allergic rhinitis, etc.) may be provided to the
patient.
[0035] After the patient receives one or more anti-snoring
solutions at step 40, the patient's snoring subsequent to
implementation of the one or more anti-snoring solutions is tracked
in track step 60. Track step 60 is generally a derivative of the
analysis step 20 previously described, and as such may include any
or all of the steps previously discussed in regard to step 20.
Tracking step 60 may be carried out by collated representation of
daily (nightly) analysis of the user's snoring (or lack thereof)
over a desired period of time in order to obtain a satisfactory
representation of the effect of the anti-snoring solution or
solutions advised in step 40. An important aspect of the tracking
step 60 is coupling the analysis results to use of an anti-snoring
device. For example, as previously discussed, during the analysis
step 20 a baseline about how the patient snores is created, such
baseline provides the opportunity to then build a comparison
between two states: patient sleep without any anti-snoring device
and with an anti-snoring device.
[0036] A secondary use of the tracking step 60 is establishing the
links between the snoring behavior with other factors such as, for
example, without limitation, alcohol intake, sleep position,
bedroom conditions (climate, air quality, noise, light intensity,
etc.), bed partner's sleeping behavior, etc. The use of further
questionnaires in different forms is a good way for accomplishing
this, especially in regard to alcohol intake. However, data from
different sensors such as bedroom conditions, and also sleep
position (e.g. by using an inclinometer attached to the patient's
cloths) may also be utilized. The same applies to the bed partner's
sleeping behavior as well: a subjective survey and/or the input
from a sleep quality monitoring sensor could be used to provide
this information.
[0037] After sufficient information/data has been gathered in track
step 60, the information/data collected therein is compared with
the "baseline" information/data collected in analysis step 20 in
order to determine any improvements in snoring activity of the
patient resulting from implementation of the anti-snoring solutions
provided in advice step 40. Depending on the results of such
comparison, the patient is then provided with further advice and/or
guidance at guide step 80 regarding changes or continuance of the
anti-snoring solution(s) provided in advice step 40. It is thus to
be appreciated that the general purpose of the guide step 80 is to
empower users/snorers toward one or more of the following aspects:
a) to use the anti-snoring devices in the correct manner. This is
particularly important for devices that require a certain level of
acceptance for a comfortable sleep, such as position correction
devices; b) to (re)adjust some of the settings of the anti-snoring
devices for improved comfort and/or for compensating (temporary)
changes of the respiratory tract physiology, (re)adjustment
function is enabled by for example the strap of a position
correction device, a smaller/larger diameter for a nasal dilator,
and the titration level of a mandibular advancement device; c)
guidance/coaching for lifestyle changes that are known to decrease
snoring related complaints, such as weight loss, breathing
exercises; d) guidance/advice to use and/or change settings of
anti-snoring devices by using the feedback from external factors,
e.g. advising a nasal dilator coupled to the increasing risk of
seasonal allergy complaints, and/or improving settings following
medication intake, etc.; and e) to provide educational content for
creating awareness about sleep disordered breathing and sleep
disorders that users and/or their bed partners may face.
[0038] It is to be appreciated that the methods described herein
may be implemented in by a computer program product including a
non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a computer
program comprising program code (for implementing the methods).
[0039] It is to be appreciated that method 10 may be carried out,
in-whole or in-part, through the use of various means without
varying from the scope of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows,
schematically, an arrangement of a system/device 100 (e.g., without
limitation, a smart phone, a personal computer, etc.) which may be
used to carry out method 10. Device 100 includes a processing
device 102 having a suitable memory 104 associated therewith.
Device 100 further includes one or more acoustic sensors 106 (e.g.,
microphones) in communication with processing device 102. Device
100 also includes an input/out device or devices 108 through which
data may be sent to, or received from a patient or bed partner of
the patient.
[0040] Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that embodiments of the
invention assist a patient in not only finding an anti-snoring
solution which is effective in regard to their particular snoring
problem, but also ensures (as reasonably possible) that the user is
properly/effectively utilizing such solution in a manner which
provides the greatest benefit.
[0041] Although the invention has been described in detail for the
purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be
the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the
contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent
arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present
invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more
features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more
features of any other embodiment.
[0042] In the claims, any reference signs placed between
parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word
"comprising" or "including" does not exclude the presence of
elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device
claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be
embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word "a" or "an"
preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality
of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several means,
several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of
hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in
mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these
elements cannot be used in combination.
* * * * *